Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters

Lowering herself carefully into the hot water, Buffy sighed and closed her eyes, the water soaking her aching bones. It was one of those days - nothing went right and it was all hectic.

Finally after five days of moving; New apartment, new town - practically a new life. She was now settled in to her new home.

Her thoughts worked overtime, having to start all again was going to be difficult but she couldn't stay in LA. Too many faces, too much upset to deal with.

Taking a deep breath she slid under the water and laid her back flat against the tub, concentrating on not inhaling water was a simple way of pushing negative thoughts out, not just negative - but all thoughts.

Exhaling and coming back up from her under water paradise Buffy grabbed a towel hanging nearby and patted her face dry. Then lather, rinse and repeat the process for her hair.

The calming effect of the water lost its charm once her skin pruned, it was time to get out. Wrapped in only a towel, she headed quickly to the front door as someone knocked.

Quick peep through the lens showed a red head holding up a basket adorned with ribbons and a card, she couldn't have been much older than Buffy herself but she recognised her from around the building.

Unbolting and slowly opening the door she was greeted with a smile "Welcome, I uh hope you had a pleasant move" the smile got wider "I'm Willow" she added as an afterthought, slight embarrassment sweeping over her.

"Buffy"

She couldn't help but smile, Willows childlike innocence was the first thing she picked up on and she seemed genuine. A welcomed change compared to her last neighbour from hell.

Willow was ready to hand over her welcome gift but noticed that Buffy was clutching onto a towel, still slightly damp. "Oh darn it, this is a bad time?! Sorry ill leave" quickly she spun on her heels and started to make her way down the hall.

"Willow!"

She stopped in her tracks and looked back to Buffy, she was being waved to come back and enter the apartment "Come in, ill just be a moment" she timidly entered and stood awkwardly, looking around the room.

Buffy went to her bedroom and quickly changed into jeans and a tank top, towel drying her hair and throwing the damp towel into her hamper. Making her way back to the living room she smiled at her guest.

"I brought this, just a little welcome gift. I know what it's like moving somewhere new and by yourself, if you ever need anything, let me know" she swung her arm up to emphasise her statement.

"Thanks, what a lovely thought" slowly taking the basket from Willow, Buffy had a quick glance - mini muffins - she placed it on the coffee table and nodded to the kitchen "do you want something to drink?!"

Her red hair swung side to side as she declined the offer, her face apologetic but smiling "I have to get going but there is a band playing tonight at The Bronze! It a good place to hang, well the only place Sunnydale has to offer" her brows furrowed but then she smiled again "I'll be there if you want to come, it'll be fun!"

Not being one for socialising lately, Buffy was ready to make up an excuse but seeing the almost pleading look on Willows face, she decided to give it a chance.

"Sounds fun, I'll try and make it if I can" Willow beamed and started to shuffle off out the door "Good! See you around 8!"

Buffy sighed. Not that she wasn't grateful of the offer, but jumping into things quickly - even just friendship had gotten her into trouble in the past. It was a fresh start, her mind kept repeating, nothing was there to hold her back but caution would be needed.

oooooooooooooo

Unsure of the dress code for The Bronze or what the music would be like, eventually settling on a black mini dress - not too fancy nor too plain. Buffy smoothed down the material and smiled at her reflection.

She wasn't sure that she was even going to take a step outside, not that she was a wallflower - quite the opposite, she loved being out and being social - but the past few months had been difficult.

Falling for the wrong guy, being put in danger and a visit from the past had made things clear.

Trust was hard to be earned, no such thing as love at first sight, like a slap to the face it proved these were true. Shaking the thoughts from her head, Buffy grabbed her purse and headed out to The Bronze.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, her stomach tightened anxiously. Someone was following her. Buffy glanced from side to side and increasing her pace towards the door. She thought she was over the paranoia.

Before she could face forward her body connected with another. "GOD. look where you're going! Do you even know who I am?!" The brunettes eyes wide with annoyance, she hastily checked her attire and growled.

"Sorry, I uh thought..."

"Well clearly not enough, watch your step!" Buffy watched as she turned to her friend and shared her look of anger. The girl behind her nodded with agreement "Cordelia's right! Watch out" Buffy watched as they walked away.

Every town has them, those girls, the ones with superiority complexes but only a handful of brain cells between them. Buffy smirked and entered the club; she remembered those types of girls from her own school, not worth worrying over.

"Buffy, over here!" Willow was sitting at a table and waving frantically.

Pushing her way through the packed club she got to the table and smiled to Willow then to the man beside her "Buffy, this is Xander!" His eyes lit up as he smiled, extending his hand to hers and shook.

"Buffy? Great name. Welcome to Sunnydale. Great place" he stuttered in a boyish way as if he was nervous speaking to her. Buffy smiled but before she could reply he asked if she wanted a drink.

Her pulse sped up and she cleared her throat "uh just a water thanks" Xander saluted her and headed for the bar. It looked like willow took no notice of her reaction as she was staring at the band playing on stage.

Xander came back to the table with her water and a beer for himself, quickly engaging her in conversation.

Despite just meeting these people Buffy felt like she had knew them for years, she was comfortable; it felt right. She held back some information as she was still keeping a distance, rushing in was not something she wanted to repeat.

Time wore on, music got louder but Buffy got more tired. It had been a long day. She said her goodbyes to Xander and Willow offered to walk her home as they stayed in the same building but she could see Willow wasn't ready to go just yet.

"Thanks Will, but I'm fine. Not too far to walk, but ill speak to you tomorrow" Willow beamed brightly and grabbed her for a hug, it was a bit uncomfortable but she didn't mind. Willow was harmless.

Buffy waved goodbye and made her way outside. She wrapped her arms around her torso as a cold wind blew its way down the alley, not only that the paranoid feeling from earlier was back.

It wasn't paranoia; she definitely could feel someone's eyes follow her as she walked. A sinking feeling came over her, as she turned to go back in the direction of The Bronze someone wrapped their arms around her tightly, spinning her so she was facing them.

"Riley!" Buffy's eyes went wide with shock, he couldn't be here, he was supposed to be... Away. This couldn't be possible. She tried to loosen his grip on her but it was iron tight.

He inhaled her familiar scent of vanilla and cherry blossom, something stirred in him "hey Buffy, I was surprised to see you'd left" he looked at her sternly but leaned down to place gentle kisses along her jaw line.

"Riley, please" Buffy pulled her head backwards hoping to escape from his attention. She saw that same dominant look in his eyes, there was no choice - only his way, whether you liked it or not.

His blue eyes twinkled in the moonlight, a smirk on his face "Buff, I've missed you" he leaned down and crushed his lips against hers. Nothing sweet, nothing gentle, just pure lust, it had been months since he last kissed her.

Buffy felt her stomach wretch, she thought she'd saw the last of him all those months ago, she promised herself that this would never happen again. Seeing him, Speaking to him or kissing him. That was never going to happen again.

She brought her knee up and hut his groin, hard. She needed to get away from him. His grip was still tight but not as much as before "Riley, STOP" she tried to swing for a punch but he caught it and shook his head.

She closed her eyes, expecting nothing more than to be taught a lesson for her defiance. Not as expected, she felt his grip loosen and she was freed. Looking over to Riley he was being gripped by the neck.

His brooding face and his deep glare rivalled the look on Riley's face "That's not a way to treat a lady, want to apologise?!" Despite it sounding like a question, it wasn't. Riley looked between Buffy and her mystery man's face and smirked.

"Sorry, how wrong of me" the grip on his throat was released, he brushed down his clothes and walked away slowly "I'll be seeing you Buff" he gave a look that she knew he meant he wasn't kidding and he went out of sight.

Buffy blinked a few times feeling her eyes dampen, she thought she could start a fresh but nothing ever happens as it should "Are you okay?!" Forgetting that she wasn't alone she jumped and faced the man who helped her.

She nodded her head and wiped away the damp from her eyes "yeah, I'm fine, just taken by surprise" the look on his face went from anger to a look of concern.

She couldn't help but admire his beauty, his angelic face was perfect and she could tell his body would be as well by the way his shirt clung tightly to his muscles.

He was analysing the situation and didn't like how vulnerable she looked "what's your name?!" Taken back by the question, she was expecting him to all guns blazing to go to the cops "Buffy" she whispered

"I'm Angel..." His warm brown eyes landed on hers, his hand gently touching the side of her arm. Buffy flinched and turned ever so slightly. He pulled his hand away quickly and raised them as an act of peace

"I mean you no harm, I can drive you home to make sure you get there safe and so you're not followed"

Buffy thought for a moment then nodded, she didn't want Riley to find out where she stayed. Normally her gut feeling was to be trusted, Riley had confused her senses in the past but she could tell that Angel was genuinely concerned.

He led her to his car and opened the door for her; Buffy slid inside and locked the seat belt. Angel rounded the car and got into the driver side, swiftly putting the car into drive and followed the directions which Buffy gave.

She felt his eyes glance over to her a couple of times during the silence, Buffy sighed and put her hand on her head "I'm fine, Angel" his brow furrowed, his eyes went back to the road "Buffy, that's not acceptable behaviour, it should be reported"

Be upset or be touched that a complete stranger was concerned for her wellbeing, She didn't know how to feel "I'll be okay, I can take care of myself" she stared at him until their eyes connected, the look on his face read that he understood her.

The car came to a halt outside the apartment block, she thanked him and left but she wasn't alone. Angel's strides were large which meant he got in front of her before she knew it, his eyes landed on hers again.

"Look I'm not trying to be intrusive but I want to make sure you are okay" he didn't know why he was acting protective, he had never spoke to her before, earlier was the first time he had, but he had caught sight of her in The Bronze and was intrigued.

There was something about her that drove him crazy.

Buffy smiled; there was something about him that screamed to her to trust him. He was beautiful, his face perfect in every way. Of course looks alone weren't enough to warrant full trust, even though her gut had other ideas.

He handed her a card with his number on it and smiled "if you ever need any help, just call" the protective look came over his face again, his fingers lingering beside hers on the card.

Buffy felt something travel through her as their fingers touched.

She felt flustered, hurriedly pulling her hand away and sliding the card into her purse. It was silly, she barely knew this man but she felt like a giggling girl speaking to her crush for the first time.

Mumbling thanks and flashing a smile Buffy made her away inside to her apartment.

Buffy locked the door and leaned her back against it. The feelings Angel stirred up almost matched the feelings she felt when she first met Riley. This meant trouble. She shook her head and laughed. She was only thinking this because he stepped in with Riley. That must be it.

Changing quickly into her pyjamas Buffy slid under the sheets and closed her eyes, she hoped Riley would lose interest and leave. Soon rather than later. She didn't want the past coming back to ruin her future.

Rolling on to her stomach, her arms going under the pillow to get comfy, thoughts of Angel felt what could only be described as butterflies flapping away excitedly in her tummy. Buffy let out a sigh, things were never simple.

oooooooooooooo

Angel watched as she left, he couldn't deny the fact he wanted her even though she was a stranger.

Taking a few moments he looked up to the higher levels to see a light go on only to be turned off moments later, Angel bumped his fists together in thought then got back into his car to leave.

She was beautiful, the way she interacted with people in the club and especially how she held her composure during the assault earlier; he knew he had to see her again.